Bli Bli

History

The name Bli Bli is believed to be derived from the Kabi word bilai meaning sheoak tree (Casuarina glauca). The first Bli Bli post office opened by March 1903 (a receiving office had been open from 1898) and closed in 1954. The current Bli Bli post office opened on 1 October 1987. The David Low Bridge over the Maroochy River opened in Bli Bli on 15 August 1959. It was named after David Low, who served as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the Maroochy Shire Council. In March 1972, Fairytale Castle was opened; it was later known as the Bli Bli Castle until it was renamed to Sunshine Castle in 2006. The Norman/medieval-style castle was built as a tourist attraction. The castle now houses a medieval museum and serves as an events venue for functions and concerts. Good Samaritan Catholic College opened in 2017.

Geography

A few kilometres inland from the Maroochydore urban area, Bli Bli rises above the wetlands which were, for many years, the home of the Sunshine Coast sugarcane industry. Whilst this industry is all but gone, state government legislation ensures the wetlands will remain an undeveloped Green Space. The Maroochy River flows through the locality from north-east (Marcoola) to south-east (Pacific Paradise/Maroochydore). The Bruce Highway forms the south-western boundary of the locality. The Yandina-Bli Bli Road enters from the north and the Nambour–Bli Bli Road enters from the west.

Most-observed species

• Rainbow Lorikeet

  Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  8,432
• Lewin's Honeyeater

  Meliphaga lewinii (Swainson, 1837) · Aves
  8,031
• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  7,760
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  7,639
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  7,100
• Noisy Miner

  Manorina melanocephala (Latham, 1801) · Aves
  6,332
• Pied Currawong

  Strepera graculina (Shaw, 1790) · Aves
  5,830
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  5,648